Interdental cleaner

ABSTRACT

An interdental cleaner has a gripping portion ( 3 ) and a cleaning portion ( 4 ) formed by an elongate body made from a thermoplastic material. The cleaning portion ( 4 ) has a coating made of a self-adhesive, heat-vulcanized rubber material forming peripheral, flexible brush members ( 6 ).

PRIORITY CLAIMS

This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/122,137, entitled INTERDENTAL CLEANER, filed on Aug. 26,2016, which claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/EP2014/078338,entitled INTERDENTAL CLEANER, filed on Dec. 17, 2014, which claimspriority to European Patent Application No. 14158195.9, filed on Mar. 6,2014, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to interdental cleaning devices and inparticular to an interdental cleaner having a toothpick design with abrush portion.

BACKGROUND

Various types of interdental cleaners or toothpicks have been used sincelong ago. Toothpicks of plastic materials are widely used nowadays, andan early example of an interdental toothpick is disclosed inJP-1979-170098U. In one embodiment described therein, the toothpick hasa stick-like body of hard synthetic resin which is partially coated by asoft synthetic resin. The soft material portion of the toothpick servesto remove dental plaque and the like from the teeth.

Another example of the same basic structure is shown in U.S. Pat. No.6,158,444 (corresponding to WO 98/16169), where a rod-like carrier madeof hard plastics is partially coated by a soft thermoplastic elastomer(TPE).

Further interdental cleaners of similar type are disclosed inEP-A-153,011 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,848 and some recent designs areshown in WO-A-2009/150964, WO-A-2012/156025, WO-A-2013/176297,WO-A-2014/005659, WO-A-2014/023395, WO-A-2014/023424, CN-U-201790907,JP-A-2013188299, JP-A-2013192866 and US-A-2014/0008837.

Certain of the interdental cleaners or toothpicks described in thesepublications are available on the market, and many of them suffer fromdifferent drawbacks which users have experienced. Some toothpicks are oftoo weak structure which means that they break in use. Other interdentalcleaners have inefficient brush portions leading to incomplete cleaningof the teeth. Furthermore, certain toothpicks are uncomfortable to gripand may slip. In summary, many prior-art interdental cleaners are hardto handle by users.

From the above it is understood that there is room for improvements.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a new type ofinterdental cleaner which is improved over prior art and whicheliminates or at least mitigates the drawbacks discussed above.

This object, as well as further objects which will appear from thefollowing description, have now been achieved by an interdental cleaneras defined in appended claim 1 with preferred embodiments set forth inthe dependent claims.

In a first aspect, there is provided an interdental cleaner whichcomprises a gripping portion and a cleaning portion formed by anelongate body made from a thermoplastic material. The cleaning portionhas a coating which comprises a heat-vulcanized rubber material andwhich forms peripheral, flexible brush members. An interdental cleanerof this kind is advantageous since the combination of materials and theheat-vulcanization provides a favourable balance between stiffness andflexibility. The active part of the cleaner contributes to an efficientcleaning process.

In one embodiment, the rubber material comprises a thermoset rubber,preferably a silicone based rubber which has specific favourableproperties. The heat vulcanization creates chemical crosslinks in thethermoset rubber which enhances the structure of the interdentalcleaner.

Preferably the rubber material has a Shore hardness in the range of10-60 Shore A, preferably 15-30 Shore A. The thermoplastic materialforming the body may be a polyamide or polyester which absorbs humidityfrom the oral cavity which makes the interdental cleaner more ductileand thereby less vulnerable to break. Preferably, the body is reinforcedby glass fiber in a proportion of 5-30% by weight, preferably 10-20% byweight, of the thermoplastic material.

The rubber coating can also be applied at least partially to thegripping portion in order to form a preferred relief structure on thesame. This design enhances the gripping comfort and reduces slip. Italso opens for promotional use of the interdental cleaner.

The brush members may be formed as peripheral brush flanges whichimproves the brushing at the teeth surfaces, in particular compared tomany prior-art cleaners with thin, radial, pin-like brush members whichhave only a slight contact with the teeth. Preferably, the outerdimension of the brush flanges is gradually decreasing towards the freeend of the cleaning portion, and the outer periphery of the brushflanges preferably forms a substantially circular shape. Hereby anefficient cleaning is achieved since the contact with the teeth isenhanced.

In an embodiment, the brush flanges are spaced substantially equidistantalong the cleaning portion and preferably arranged in alternate pairsalong the cleaning portion. The first pairs have two brush flangesextending radially from the axis of the cleaning portion in a firstopposite direction whereas adjacent second pairs have two brush flangesextending radially from said axis in a second opposite direction. Theangle between these directions is about 90°. This design of the activepart of the interdental cleaner is beneficial to the cleaning contactwith the teeth.

The cleaning portion body is preferably tapering towards the free end ofthe body which improves the brushing against the teeth surfaces.

Furthermore, the cleaning body portion may be provided with axialgrooves and ridges forming a kind of splines. This design improves theadherence of the coating, and it provides a brush flange arrangementwith favorable bending properties balanced with appropriate stiffness.

A cleaning portion of this kind has a very slender design which enhancesthe user's opportunity to efficiently clean the spaces between all teethin the oral cavity. If the ridges of the cleaning portion body protrudein radial directions, which coincide with the first and seconddirections of the spaced brush flanges, the advantages are even moremanifested.

The gripping portion may have a substantially rectangular cross sectiondefining two opposite, substantially flat gripping surfaces and an outerrim extending along the outer periphery of the gripping portion. Herebya comfortable gripping is achieved.

Furthermore, the gripping portion may include a transition section whichis tapered towards the cleaning portion and which further enhances thegripping.

Preferably, the axial length of the cleaning portion is in the range of35-55% of the overall axial length of the interdental cleaner, and it isalso preferred that the axial length of the gripping portion—includingthe tapered transition section—is in the range of 45-65% of the overallaxial length of the interdental cleaner. By these proportions, anefficient and comfortable teeth cleaning process can be achieved.

In an embodiment, the cross dimension of the cleaning portion at thefree end of the interdental cleaner constitutes about 40-50% of thecross dimension of the cleaning portion adjacent to the transitionsection. This design provides for a slender active part of theinterdental cleaner which enhances the user's opportunities to clean allkinds of interdental spaces in the oral cavity.

In a second aspect, an interdental cleaner is suggested which comprisesa gripping portion and a cleaning portion formed by an elongate bodymade from a thermoplastic material. The cleaning portion is providedwith a coating with a heat-vulcanized rubber material formingperipheral, flexible brush members. The heat-vulcanized rubber materialcomprises a thermoset silicone based rubber. This design is favourable,since the durability of the silicone rubber enhances the use of theinterdental cleaner.

A third aspect is directed to an interdental cleaner with a grippingportion and a cleaning portion formed by an elongate body made from athermoplastic material. The cleaning portion has a coating comprising aheat-vulcanized thermoset silicone rubber material and formingperipheral, flexible brush members. The thermoplastic material formingthe body is reinforced by fiber material or minerals. By this design,the interdental cleaner is given a favorable balance between stiffnessand flexibility which facilitates the cleaning process.

In a fourth aspect, an interdental cleaner is proposed which comprises agripping portion and a cleaning portion formed by an elongate body madefrom a thermoplastic material The cleaning portion has a coating whichcomprises a heat-vulcanized rubber material and which forms peripheral,flexible brush members in the shape of peripheral brush flanges. Theouter dimension of the brush flanges is gradually decreasing towards thefree end of the cleaning portion, and the outer periphery of the brushflanges forms a substantially circular shape. Advantages are obtained bythis design in that the brushing contact with the teeth is improved.

A fifth aspect is directed to an interdental cleaner with a grippingportion and a cleaning portion formed by an elongate body made from athermoplastic material. The cleaning portion is provided with a coatingwhich comprises a heat-vulcanized rubber material and which formsperipheral, flexible brush members. Furthermore, the cleaning bodyportion tapers towards the free end of the same and it is provided withaxial ridges and grooves. The brush members are formed as peripheralbrush flanges, the outer dimension of which is gradually decreasingtowards the free end of the cleaning portion and also forming asubstantially circular shape. In this aspect, the brush flanges arespaced substantially equidistant along the cleaning portion and arearranged in alternate pairs along the same. The first pairs have twobrush flanges extending radially from the axis of the cleaning portionin a first opposite direction and adjacent second pairs have two brushflanges extending radially from the axis in a second opposite direction.The angle between these directions is about 90°, and the ridges of thecleaning body portion protrude in radial directions which coincide withthe first and second directions of the brush flanges. This design isadvantageous since the arrangement of the brush flanges results inefficient brushing. In particular, the cleaning portion can flex incertain directions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Embodiments of the invention will be described in the following;references being made to the appended diagrammic drawings whichillustrate non-limiting examples of how the inventive concept can bereduced into practice.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner of an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the interdental cleaner.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the interdental cleaner.

FIG. 4 is a cross section on a larger scale along the line IV-IV in FIG.2.

FIG. 5 is an axial, sectional perspective view of the interdentalcleaner of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the interdental cleaner of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows the detail of FIG. 6 on a larger scale.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an interdental cleaner of a basic size.

FIGS. 9-11 show sections along the lines IX-IX, X-X and XI-XI in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is an end view XII-XII of the interdental cleaner of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 shows the detail of FIG. 12 on a larger scale.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an interdental cleaner of a slightly largersize than in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 15-17 show sections along the lines XV-XV, XVI-XVI and XVII-XVIIin FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is an end view XVIII-XVIII of the interdental cleaner of FIG.14.

FIG. 19 shows the detail of FIG. 18 on a larger scale.

FIG. 20 is a sectional side view of the interdental cleaner of FIG. 8.

FIG. 21 is a section along line XXI-XXI of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a corresponding section of the interdental cleaner of FIG.14.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a substrate cleaning portion of theinterdental cleaner.

FIG. 24 is a corresponding perspective view of the complete cleaningportion.

FIG. 25 is an end view of the interdental cleaner with a tip cut awayfor illustration.

FIG. 26 shows a cross section of a prior-art interdental cleaner forcomparison.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a set of substrates for production ofinterdental cleaners.

FIG. 28 is a plan view of the set shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a set of complete interdental cleaners.

FIG. 30 is a plan view of the set shown in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 illustrates how the cleaning portion of an interdental cleanerof FIG. 8 is cleaning a gap between two front teeth.

FIG. 32 illustrates how the cleaning portion of an interdental cleanerof FIG. 14 is bent for cleaning a gap between two back teeth.

FIG. 33 shows the tip of the cleaning portion of the interdental cleanerof FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 further illustrates the cleaning action of the interdentalcleaner of FIGS. 32-33.

FIG. 35 is a cross section which shows how the cleaning portion of theinterdental cleaner of FIGS. 32-34 is inserted in the gap between twoback teeth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An interdental cleaner or toothpick 1 according to an embodiment of theinvention is shown in FIGS. 1-6, and it is formed by an elongatesubstrate or body 2 also referred to as carrier in the following. A setof bodies 2 for forming the toothpicks 1 is shown in FIGS. 27-28. Thebodies 2 are made of a thermoplastic material, for instance amideplastics, preferably polyamide “6” or alternatively polyester, providinga favorable stiffness for the interdental cleaner 1. Preferably, thepick body 2 is reinforced by glass fiber.

The toothpick 1 has a handle or gripping portion 3, a cleaning portion 4and an intermediate transition section 5 tapering towards the cleaningportion 4. The cleaning portion 4 is provided with a coating Cconsisting of a self-adhesive, heat-vulcanized rubber material,preferably a thermoset rubber, such as a liquid, self-adhesive siliconerubber. The coating C forms peripheral, flexible brush members in theshape of brush flanges 6, the outer dimension or radial extension ofwhich is gradually decreasing towards the free end or tip 7 of thecleaning portion 4. The cleaning brush flanges 6 are spaced at the samedistance from each other (equidistant) along the cleaning portion 4.

The transition section 5 enhances the user's gripping of the toothpick 1since he/she can put his/her fingers on this section 5 when performingthe reciprocal cleaning movement. Furthermore, the transition section 5improves the stiffness and thereby the strength of the toothpick 1. Thetransition between the handle/grip and the elongate brush portion isoftentimes a weak point of prior-art interdental cleaners.

The radial extension of the brush flanges 6 is best shown in thesections in FIGS. 20-21, where the flange 6 a closest to the grippingportion 3 has the largest radial projection whereas the flange 6 bclosest to the tip 7 of the cleaning portion 4 has the smallest radialprojection.

As is best shown in FIG. 24, the equidistant brush flanges 6 arearranged in alternate pairs along the cleaning portion 4. The firstpairs have two opposite flanges 6F extending radially from the centeraxis CA of the cleaning portion 4 in a first opposite direction FOD andthe second pairs have two opposite flanges 6S extending radially fromthe center axis CA in a second opposite direction SOD.

Preferably, the angle between these two directions FOD and SOD is about90° forming a four-wing design of the cleaning portion 4; see FIGS. 13and 19. The four-wing design can also be described as a four-leaf clovershape seen from the tip 7 of the toothpick 1. The cross-like arrangementof the equidistantly spaced brush flanges 6 provides for a veryefficient cleaning of the space between two teeth, that is when theactive cleaning part 4 of the toothpick 1 is pushed in a reciprocalmovement in this space.

The coating material C is applied also to the gripping portion 3, as canbe seen in FIG. 4. The flexible, silicone based material C forms arelief structure on two opposite, substantially flat gripping surfaces 3a and 3 b of the gripping portion 3. The relief structure is of socalled negative type, which means that coating material C is left out incertain areas so that the surface of the underlying substrate 2 isexposed. Thereby, grooves 8-13 are formed in the coating material C onthe gripping portion 3, which form the relief structure.

Since the substrate 2 preferably is of light colour, for instance white,and the coating material C preferably is of a dark colour (cf. FIGS. 8and 14), the relief structure has a very clear appearance which isfavorable for promotional purposes, like exposing trademarks, logotypes,etc (like TePe®).

Furthermore, the relief structure is advantageous in that it providesfor a secure gripping of the toothpick 1 at the gripping portion 3. Asshown in FIG. 4, the gripping portion 4 has a substantially rectangularcross section forming the two opposite gripping surfaces 3 a, 3 bprovided with the relief structure. Preferably, these two surfaces 3 a,3 b are somewhat curved inwards towards the axis of the toothpick 1 sothat two opposite concave areas are formed. This concave design, whichappears like an oval shape in FIG. 2, further enhances the user'sgripping of the toothpick 1.

FIGS. 8-13 and FIGS. 14-19, respectively, show two slightly differentsizes of the interdental cleaner 1, 1′ according to the general designdescribed above. The cleaning portion 4 of the toothpick 1 of FIG. 8 hasa slightly smaller diameter or cross section than the cleaning portion4′ of the toothpick 1′ of FIG. 14. Toothpicks 1 can be delivered invarious sizes and colours depending on the requirements of the users.

In addition to the relief structure of the gripping portion 3, 3′ thetoothpicks 1 of FIG. 8 and FIG. 14 are provided with additional reliefareas 14, 14′ on opposite sides of the transition sections 5, 5′. Theserelief areas 14, 14′ further promote a comfortable gripping of thetoothpicks 1, 1′ since the user can put his/her finger tip in the smallrecess formed by the relief area 14, 14′. As described above, the reliefarea 14, 14′ is formed by exclusion of the coating material C so thatthe surface of the underlying carrier or substrate 2 is exposed.

In FIG. 23 the part 2 a of the elongate body 2 which will form thecleaning portion 4 is shown before coating. This cleaning portion body 2a is tapering towards the tip 7 and it has axial ridges 15 and grooves16 forming splines. These axial splines 15, 16 form a cross-like,four-wing or four-clover cross section which—after coating—matches thefour-wing design of the brush flanges 6, as is shown in FIG. 25 wherethe coated tip is cut away for illustration purposes. The splines design15, 16 enhances the adherence of the coating material C on the cleaningbody part 2 a and it matches the brush flange arrangement so thatfavorable bending properties balanced with appropriate stiffness areachieved.

The axial planes containing the opposite directions FOD and SOD shown inFIG. 24 coincide with the radially projecting ridges 15 of the cleaningbody 2 a, whereas the radial grooves 16 coincide with sloping recesses17 formed by the brush flanges 6. This cross-like design of the cleaningportion 4 is favourable since it enhances bending of the active brushpart of the toothpick 1 in the directions of the longitudinal recesses17 along the cleaning portion 4. It is preferred that the cleaningportion 4 can be bent up to 180° with respect to the gripping portion 3.

As is clear from FIG. 25, the angle between two crossing planesincluding the FOD and SOD forms 90°, whereas the recesses 17 areinbetween (45°) between these planes. The cross-like design is furtherillustrated in FIGS. 12-13 and 18-19, respectively.

A cross section of a prior-type of interdental cleaner IC is shown inFIG. 26 for comparison with the cross-like design shown in FIG. 25. Theknown cleaner IC has only a few thin projecting brush members BM withlarge spaces inbetween. This means that only the tips of the brushmembers BM take active part in the cleaning process. Contrary to thisexisting technique, the brush flanges 6 of the interdental cleaner 1shown in FIG. 25 define an outer periphery which forms a substantiallycircular shape. This means that the contact surface between the outeredges of the brush flanges 6 is much larger for the toothpicks 1, 1′described herein. Therefore, the cleaning process performed by thesetoothpicks 1, 1′ is improved over prior art.

Certain proportions of the interdental cleaner 1 have been foundfavourable. In FIG. 3 the axial lengths of the cleaning portion 4 andthe gripping portion 3 (including the transition section 5) are shown asL1 and L2. In order to have an efficient active part, that is thecleaning portion 4, the axial length L1 thereof should be in the range35-55% of the overall length L1+L2 of the toothpick 1. Preferably, thisproportion is in the range of 40-50% and most preferred about 45%.Toothpicks 1 produced with these proportions, make it possible for theuser to perform an extended reciprocal cleaning movement; thereby takingfull advantage of the improved cleaning portion 4.

Furthermore, comfortable gripping of the toothpick 1 is achieved if theaxial length (L2) of the gripping portion 4—including the axial lengthL3 of the transition section 5—is in the range 45-65% of the overallaxial length of the toothpick 1. Preferably, this proportion is in therange of 50-60%, and most preferred about 55%.

The design of the active part of the interdental cleaner 1, 1′ isslender, as can be seen in FIGS. 21-22. The cross dimension or diameterD2, D2′ of the cleaning portion 4 at the tip 7, 7′ constitutes about 45%of the cross dimension or diameter D1, D1′ of the cleaning portion 4adjacent to the transition section 5, 5′. The smooth tapering of thebody portion 2 a makes it possible for the user to reach behind teethand to push the toothpick 1, 1′ into all interdental spaces whencleaning the teeth. The slenderness can of course vary to some extent,and the proportion between the diameters mentioned above can be withinthe range 40-50% with very efficient result.

Returning now to the materials used, the toothpick body 2 is made from athermoplastic material, preferably a polyamide, for instance of the typepolyamide “6”, or PBT (polybutylene terephtalate). In preferredembodiments, the body 2 is reinforced by a reinforcement material. Whenglass fiber reinforcement is used, favourable properties—such assuitable stiffness—have been achieved if the glass fiber proportion ofthe toothpick body 2 is within the range 5-30% by weight, preferably10-20% by weight and most preferred 15% by weight of the thermoplasticmaterial. Certain designs of the interdental cleaner 1 with a glassfiber proportion of less than 12% by weight, in particular 5-10% byweight, have been tested in practice with favorable results.

Other types of reinforcements like carbon and aramide fibers or mineralsare feasible, as well as mixtures thereof.

The preferred coating material C for the active part—that is thecleaning portion 4—is a self-adhesive, liquid, heat-vulcanized siliconerubber which has proven good results in practical tests. This thermosetsilicone based rubber material has favourable chemical properties. Inthe heat vulcanization process, chemical crosslinks are created ascovalent bonds which cannot be broken by thermodynamic means.Preferably, the heat vulcanization is performed at a temperature ofabout 120-200° C.

Contrary to the rubber material described above, most prior-artinterdental cleaners have an active part or coating consisting of athermoplastic elastomer (TPE) with physical crosslinks which form weakbonds. When the thermoplastic elastomer is heated, the bonds are brokenwhich means that the polymer chains can move so that the material can beprocessed again. When cooling the thermoplastic elastomer, the physicalcrosslinks are formed again.

The chemical crosslinking of the silicone material used in theembodiments described herein gives the active part of the interdentalcleaner 1, 1′—that is the coating of silicone rubber—an improved tearstrength compared to prior-art cleaners.

In order to obtain favorable flexibility of the interdental cleaner 1,1′ and a comfortable cleaning process using the same, various hardnessproperties have been tested. The thermoset silicone based rubbermaterial has proven most favorable properties if the Shore hardness isin the range of 10-60 Shore A, preferably 15-30 Shore A and mostpreferred about 20 Shore A. Practical tests with this silicone rubbermaterial also showed favourable tear-off properties.

Briefly, the process of manufacturing an interdental cleaner of the typedescribed above can be performed as follows. Thermoplastic granules arefed into and melted in a heated injection unit. The melt is theninjected into the cold mold, in which it hardens and is shaped inaccordance with the cavities of the molding tool. The liquid siliconerubber (LSR) is delivered as two components: a first component A and asecond component B. One of the components contains a catalyst whereasthe other component contains a crosslinker. The silicone is not createduntil the two components are mixed. In room temperature, it takes weeksuntil the silicone is created whereas at higher temperatures thesilicone is created in a few seconds (depending on the thickness of thearticle).

The proportion of the components A and B is 1:1 and they are mixed andinjected into a heated molding tool. In the heated tool, a chemicalreaction is initiated which is called heat vulcanization—during whichthe self-adhesive silicone rubber is created.

Thus, the plastic bodies or carriers are injection molded in the coldpart of the tool. Thereafter, the bodies/carriers are moved to theheated cavities in which they are overmolded with the silicone rubbermaterial forming the aimed-at coating of the complete toothpicks.

The silicone material is a thermoset rubber which has proven to be veryuseful for this kind of manufacturing process and which has the aimed-atproperties of the interdental cleaner, in terms of adhesion to thesubstrate of the toothpick, efficient cleaning, suitable flexibility andcomfortable gripping and use. Preferable materials for the substrate towhich the coating is applied are polyamides, in particular polyamidetype “6”. As mentioned above, other substrate materials are feasible,for instance PBT.

Before the coating C is applied, a number of bodies 2 are arranged insets, as is illustrated in FIGS. 27-28. From these figures, it can beseen that the gripping portion has an outer rim 18 which extends alongthe periphery of the same. This rim 18 defines a kind of recess 19 wherethe coating C is to be applied in the manufacturing process. The rim 18and recess 19 contribute to a comfortable gripping of the completecoated toothpick 1. The substrates 2 are connected to each other by thintear-off bridges or links 20 consisting of the body material.

The links 20 are maintained in the manufacturing process and keeptogether the finished toothpicks 1 in sets of the type illustrated inFIGS. 29-30. When a toothpick 1 is to be used, the user simply breaksthe link 20 between two adjacent toothpicks 1 and separates thetoothpick 1 to be used.

With reference to FIG. 31, an interdental cleaner 1 of the type shown inFIG. 8 is illustrated in an initial cleaning position. Thanks to thedesign of the tapering cleaning portion 4 and a well-balancedreinforcement of the same, a suitable stiffness is achieved whichfacilitates the axially reciprocating cleaning movement in the gapbetween two front teeth 30, 31. The splines 15, 16 shown in FIG. 23 alsocontribute to the suitable stiffness. The flat rectangular grippingportion 3 provides for a secure grip by the fingers of the user so thathe/she can perform an efficient cleaning. The ingenious arrangement ofthe alternating brush flanges 6 of the cleaning portion 4 furtherenhances the cleaning. The brush flanges 6 are in tight contact with theteeth surface throughout the cleaning process.

In FIG. 32 an interdental cleaner 1′ of the type shown in 14 isillustrated in a cleaning position where it is bent and partiallyinserted between two back teeth 40, 41. The balance between stiffnessand flexibility of the tapering cleaning portion 4′, which can be bent,makes it possible to reach and conveniently clean at locations at theback of the oral cavity. Also in this bent position, the brush flanges6′ are in tight contact with the teeth surfaces so that efficientcleaning is achieved.

The four-wing brush flange arrangement of the interdental cleaner 1′ isfurther illustrated in FIG. 33, whereas in FIG. 34 the interdentalcleaner 1′ is shown in the perspective. In this position, the flatgripping portion 3′ is rotated about 90° compared to the position inFIG. 32. The cleaning process can preferably involve both an axiallyreciprocating movement and a rotation about the axis of the interdentalcleaner 1′.

Finally it should be mentioned that this inventive concept by no meansis limited to the embodiments and examples described above, and manymodifications are feasible within the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined in the appended claims. For instance, specific versions ofmaterials can be used, and the specific design of the toothpicks canvary. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the flanged cleaningportion may be varied depending on specific requirements. In addition tothe cross-like design, various star-like designs with several projectingsets of brush flanges can be used. An alternative design is athree-flange design which also provides favourable cleaning contact withthe teeth.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A body configured to form an interdentalcleaner, the body comprising: a handle portion having a periphery; anelongate cleaning body portion extending from the handle portion; and atapered transition portion between the handle portion and said cleaningbody portion; wherein the handle portion comprises an outer rimextending at least partially along said periphery of the handle portion;said outer rim of the handle portion defining at least one handleportion recess configured to receive a coating material; said transitionportion having two opposite side edge portions, the side edge portionshaving respective outer rims extending at least partially along the sideedge portions; said rims of said transition portion defining atransition portion recess configured to receive the coating material;said cleaning body portion, said transition portion, and the handleportion including a body material that is different than the coatingmaterial, wherein said cleaning body portion has a proximal end portionextending from said tapered transition portion and a distal end portion,said cleaning body portion being configured to define a cleaning regionhaving bristles or lamellae formed from the coating material with thebristles or lamellae being spaced apart along a length of said cleaningbody portion between the proximal end portion and the distal end portionand extending radially outward from said cleaning body portion, thehandle portion, said tapered transition portion, and the cleaning bodyportion configured to have the coating material continuously extendingfrom the at least one handle portion recess through a gap in said outerrims of said tapered transition portion to the bristles or lamellae. 2.The body as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer rim of the handleportion protrudes in two opposite directions from the handle portion,whereby a first recess is defined on a first side of the handle portionand a second recess is defined on a second side of the handle portion;said first and second recesses being configured to receive the coatingmaterial.
 3. The body as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer rims ofthe handle portion connect to said outer rims of the transition portion;said outer rims defining a common recess extending over the handleportion and said transition portion; said common recess being configuredto receive the coating material.
 4. The body as claimed in claim 3,wherein said outer rims of said transition portion protrude in twoopposite directions at said side edge portions of said transitionportion, whereby a first recess is defined on a first side of saidtransition portion and a second recess is defined on a second side ofsaid transition portion; said first and second recesses being configuredto receive the coating material.
 5. The body as claimed in claim 1,wherein the handle portion and the cleaning body portion are formed inone piece of thermoplastic material.
 6. The body as claimed in claim 1,wherein the handle portion, said transition portion and the cleaningbody portion are formed in one piece of thermoplastic material.
 7. Thebody as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle portion has asubstantially rectangular cross section defining two opposite,substantially flat gripping surfaces surrounded by said outer rim of thehandle portion.
 8. The body as claimed in claim 1, wherein an axiallength of the handle portion and said transition portion is in a rangeof 45-65% of an overall axial length of the body.
 9. The body as claimedin claim 1, wherein an axial length of said cleaning body portion is ina range of 35-55% of an overall axial length of the body.
 10. A set ofbodies as claimed in claim 1, said bodies being interconnected bytear-off bridges.
 11. The set of bodies as claimed in claim 10, whereinsaid tear-off bridges are made of the same material as said bodies. 12.An interdental cleaner comprising: a body, the body including: a handleportion having a periphery; and an elongate cleaning body portion havinga proximal end portion that extends from the handle portion and a distalend portion; wherein the handle portion comprises an outer rim extendingat least partially along said periphery of the handle portion; saidouter rim of the handle portion defining at least one handle portionrecess configured to receive a coating material; and said coatingmaterial comprising a rubber material that coats said cleaning bodyportion; and wherein the handle portion is at least partially coated bythe rubber material, wherein the rubber material that coats saidcleaning body portion defines bristles or lamellae that are spaced apartalong a length of said cleaning body portion between the proximal endportion and the distal end portion and that extend radially outward fromsaid cleaning body portion, said coating material continuously extendingfrom the at least one handle portion recess through a gap in said outerrim to the bristles or lamellae.
 13. The interdental cleaner as claimedin claim 12, further comprising a tapered transition portion between thehandle portion and said cleaning body portion; wherein said transitionportion is at least partially coated by the rubber material.
 14. Theinterdental cleaner as claimed in claim 12, wherein the handle portion,said transition portion and said cleaning body portion are formed in onepiece of thermoplastic material.
 15. An interdental cleaner comprising:a body, the body including: a handle portion having a periphery; and anelongate cleaning body portion having a proximal end portion thatextends from the handle portion and a distal end portion; wherein thehandle portion comprises an outer rim extending at least partially alongsaid periphery of the handle portion; said outer rim of the handleportion defining at least one handle portion recess configured toreceive a coating material that coats said cleaning body portion;wherein the handle portion is at least partially coated by the coatingmaterial, wherein the handle portion and the elongate cleaning bodyportion include a body material, and the coating material is softer thanthe body material, wherein the coating material that coats the elongatecleaning body portion defines bristles or lamellae that are spaced apartalong a length of the elongate cleaning body portion between theproximal end portion and the distal end portion and that extend radiallyoutward from the elongate cleaning body portion, the coating materialcontinuously extending from the at least one handle portion recessthrough a gap in said outer rim to the bristles or lamellae.
 16. Theinterdental cleaner as claimed in claim 15, wherein the handle portionand said cleaning body portion are formed in one piece of thermoplasticmaterial.
 17. The interdental cleaner as claimed in claim 15, whereinthe body material includes a plastic material.
 18. The interdentalcleaner as claimed in claim 15, wherein the body material includes athermoplastic material.
 19. The interdental cleaner as claimed in claim15, wherein the coating material includes an elastic material.
 20. Theinterdental cleaner as claimed in claim 15, wherein the coating materialincludes a rubber material.
 21. A set of interdental cleaners as claimedin claim 15, the interdental cleaners being connected to each other bytear-off bridges or links.
 22. The interdental cleaner of claim 15,wherein the elongate cleaning body portion defines a longitudinal axisthat extends from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion,the handle portion defining a major cross-sectional dimension and aminor cross-sectional dimension that is transverse to the majorcross-sectional dimension, the major cross-sectional dimension and theminor cross-sectional dimension being transverse to the longitudinalaxis, the at least one handle portion recess being substantiallyparallel to a plane that extends along the longitudinal axis and themajor cross-sectional dimension.
 23. A body configured to form aninterdental cleaner, the body comprising: a handle portion having aperiphery; an elongate cleaning body portion extending from the handleportion; and a transition portion between the handle portion and saidcleaning body portion, said transition portion having two opposite sideedge portions; wherein the handle portion, the transition portion andthe elongate cleaning body portion are made in one piece from a bodymaterial; wherein said transition portion tapers from the handle portionto the cleaning body portion; wherein said handle portion comprises anouter rim extending at least partially along said periphery of thehandle portion; wherein said opposite side edge portions of thetransition portion have respective outer rims extending at leastpartially along said side edge portions; wherein said outer rims definea common recess extending over the handle portion and said transitionportion; and wherein said common recess is configured to receive acoating material which is softer than said body material, wherein thecleaning body portion has a proximal end portion extending from saidtransition portion and a distal end portion, the cleaning body portionbeing configured to define a cleaning region having bristles or lamellaeformed from the coating material with the bristles or lamellae beingspaced apart along a length of said cleaning body portion between theproximal end portion and the distal end portion and extending radiallyoutward from said cleaning body portion, the handle portion, saidtransition portion, and the cleaning body portion configured to have thecoating material continuously extending from said common recess througha gap in said outer rims of said transition portion to the bristles orlamellae.
 24. The body as claimed in claim 23, wherein said bodymaterial includes a plastic material.
 25. The body as claimed in claim23, wherein said body material includes a thermoplastic material. 26.The body as claimed in claim 23, wherein the coating material includesan elastic material.
 27. The body as claimed in claim 23, wherein thecoating material includes a rubber material.
 28. An interdental cleaner,comprising a body including: a handle portion having a periphery; anelongate cleaning body portion extending from the handle portion; and atransition portion between the handle portion and said cleaning bodyportion, said transition portion having two opposite side edge portions;wherein the handle portion, the transition portion and the elongatecleaning body portion are made from a one-piece body material; whereinsaid transition portion tapers from the handle portion to the cleaningbody portion; wherein said handle portion comprises an outer rimextending at least partially along said periphery of the handle portion;wherein said opposite side edge portions of the transition portion haverespective outer rims extending at least partially along said side edgeportions; wherein said outer rims define a common recess extending overthe handle portion and said transition portion; and wherein said commonrecess is at least partially filled by a coating material which issofter than said body material, wherein the cleaning body portion has aproximal end portion extending from the transition portion and a distalend portion configured to define a cleaning region having bristles orlamellae formed from the coating material with the bristles or lamellaebeing spaced apart along a length of the cleaning body portion betweenthe proximal end portion and the distal end portion and extendingradially outward from the cleaning body portion, the coating materialcontinuously extending from the said common recess through a gap in saidouter rims of the transition portion to the bristles or lamellae. 29.The interdental cleaner as claimed in claim 28, wherein said coatingmaterial is a rubber material.
 30. The interdental cleaner as claimed inclaim 28, wherein said body material includes a plastic material. 31.The interdental cleaner as claimed in claim 28, wherein said bodymaterial includes a thermoplastic material.
 32. The interdental cleaneras claimed in claim 28, wherein the coating material includes an elasticmaterial.
 33. The interdental cleaner as claimed in claim 28, whereinthe coating material includes a rubber material.
 34. An interdentalcleaner comprising: a body, the body including: a handle portion havinga periphery; and an elongate cleaning body portion having a proximal endportion that extends from the handle portion and a distal end portion;wherein the handle portion comprises rim portions extending at leastpartially along said periphery of the handle portion; said rim portionsof the handle portion defining at least one handle portion recessconfigured to receive a coating material that coats said cleaning bodyportion; wherein the handle portion is at least partially coated by thecoating material, wherein the handle portion and the elongated cleaningbody portion include a body material, and the coating material is softerthan the body material, wherein the coating material that coats saidcleaning body portion defines bristles or lamellae that are spaced apartalong a length of said cleaning body portion between the proximal endportion and the distal end portion and that extend radially outward fromsaid cleaning body portion, the coating material continuously extendingfrom the at least one handle portion recess through a gap in said rimportions to the bristles or lamellae.
 35. The interdental cleaner asclaimed in claim 34, wherein the handle portion and said cleaning bodyportion are formed in one piece of thermoplastic material.
 36. A set ofinterdental cleaners as claimed in claim 34, the interdental cleanersbeing connected to each other by tear-off bridges or links.
 37. Aninterdental cleaner comprising: a body, the body including: a handleportion having a periphery; and an elongate cleaning body portion havinga proximal end portion that extends from the handle portion and a distalend portion; wherein the handle portion comprises rim sections extendingat least partially along said periphery of the handle portion; said rimsections of the handle portion defining at least one handle portionrecess configured to receive a coating material that coats said cleaningbody portion; wherein the handle portion is at least partially coated bythe coating material, wherein the handle portion and the elongatedcleaning body portion include a body material, and the coating materialis softer than the body material, wherein the coating material thatcoats said cleaning body portion defines bristles or lamellae that arespaced apart along a length of the cleaning body portion between theproximal end portion and the distal end portion and that extend radiallyoutward from the cleaning body portion, the coating materialcontinuously extending from the at least one handle portion recessthrough a gap in said rim sections to the bristles or lamellae.
 38. Theinterdental cleaner as claimed in claim 37, wherein the handle portionand said cleaning body portion are formed in one piece of thermoplasticmaterial.
 39. An interdental cleaner comprising: a body, the bodyincluding: a handle portion having a periphery; and an elongate cleaningbody portion having a proximal end portion that extends from the handleportion and a distal end portion; wherein the handle portion comprisesrim elements extending at least partially along said periphery of thehandle portion; said rim elements of the handle portion defining atleast one handle portion recess configured to receive a coating materialthat coats said cleaning body portion; wherein the handle portion is atleast partially coated by the coating material, wherein the handleportion and the elongated cleaning body portion include a body material,and the coating material is softer than the body material, wherein thecoating material that coats said cleaning body portion defines bristlesor lamellae that are spaced apart along a length of the cleaning bodyportion between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion andthat extend radially outward from the cleaning body portion, the coatingmaterial continuously extending from the at least one handle portionrecess through a gap in said rim elements to the bristles or lamellae.40. The interdental cleaner as claimed in claim 39, wherein the handleportion and said cleaning body portion are formed in one piece ofthermoplastic material.
 41. A body configured to form an interdentalcleaner, the body comprising: a handle portion having a periphery; andan elongate cleaning body portion having a proximal end portion thatextends from the handle portion and a distal end portion; wherein thehandle portion comprises an outer rim extending at least partially alongsaid periphery of the handle portion; said outer rim of the handleportion defining at least one handle portion recess configured toreceive a coating material that coats said cleaning body portion;wherein the handle portion is at least partially coated by the coatingmaterial, wherein the handle portion and the elongate cleaning bodyportion include a body material, and the coating material is softer thanthe body material, wherein the coating material that coats the elongatecleaning body portion defines bristles or lamellae that are spaced apartalong a length of the elongate cleaning body portion between theproximal end portion and the distal end portion and that extend radiallyoutward from the elongate cleaning body portion, the coating materialcontinuously extending from the at least one handle portion recessthrough a gap in said outer rim to the bristles or lamellae.